2010-2011 Academic Year
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[View this year's UHIP premiums]
What is UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan)?
UHIP is the mandatory university health insurance plan in effect at Ontario universities. The plan provides eligible university students with medical coverage comparable to that received by Ontario residents.
Where do I get my UHIP Card?
Pick it up at York International* during office hours, at the start of every academic year. Bring your passport or other official identification with your picture as well as identification from York University that has your student number.
You must sign for receipt of your card and therefore we are unable to mail it to you.
It is not always possible for proof of coverage to be issued same day.
*If you are a Glendon student, pick your card at Glendon’s Office of Student Affairs.
What does UHIP pay for?
UHIP pays for eligible hospital services, physician services, osteopath and podiatrist services, ambulance, diagnostic, laboratory and x-ray services, dental surgery when performed in a hospital, out-of-province/Canada emergency care and repatriation at levels comparable to those received by Ontario residents under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
For further information, please refer to the UHIP Booklet available at this link www.uhip.ca/_uploads/en_UHIPBooklet.pdf.
Who is the UHIP insurer?
The UHIP insurer is Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Sun Life).
Where can I go for medical services in Ontario?
Emergencies: Call 9-1-1 from any phone. No money is needed at payphones.
If you are hospitalized for more than 48 hours, it is important to notify Sun Life as soon as possible. Sun Life has worked closely with Ontario hospitals to establish a preferred hospital network that assists members by reducing their out-of-pocket expenses.
In an non-emergency, telephone Telehealth Ontario or visit a medical clinic.
Telehealth Ontario: Call 1-866-797-0000. Telehealth is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse. Based on the assessment, the Registered Nurse can advise self care, recommend a visit to a health practitioner or give you the phone numbers of community resources nearest you.
Medical Clinics: Visit a medical clinic. Some clinics, such as the one in York Lanes on Keele campus, charge administrative fees to UHIP members. A list of clinics that do not charge an administrative fee for UHIP members is given below.
Bay College Medical & Lockwood Diagnostic
790 Bay St., Suite 108, Toronto (at College Street)
Tel: 416-929-1900
www.lockwoodclinic.comDoctor's Office, The- Jane & Finch Mall
3869 Jane Street (Downsview area)
Tel:416.636.7077
Dufferin Family Care Centre
51 Gerry Fitzgerald Drive (near Steeles & Dufferin)
Tel: 416-739-1562Sheppard Beecroft Medical Clinic
48 Sheppard Ave, West, North York (Yonge & Sheppard)
Tel: 416-222-1477Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Ave, Room A1 01, Toronto (north of Eglinton Ave. East)
(5-10 minute walk south from the Glendon Campus)
Tel: 416-480-4934Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Avenue,
Toronto, OntarioMount Sinai Hospital
600 University Avenue
Toronto, OntarioRouge Valley Health System
St. Michael's Hospital
Centennary Site
2867 Ellesmere Rd.
Toronto, Ontario
30 Bond Street,
Toronto, OntarioThe Scarborough Hospital
General Division
3050 Lawrence Avenue East,
Scarborough, OntarioGrace Division
3030 Birchmount Avenue,
Scarborough, OntarioThe University Health Network
Toronto General
200 Elisabeth Street,
Toronto, OntarioToronto Western
399 Bathurst Street,
Toronto, OntarioPrincess Margaret
610 University Avenue,
Toronto, OntarioFairlawn Medical Centre
2401 Yonge Street,
Toronto, Ontario
(Between Lawrence and Eglington)
Take a claim form with you when you use medical services. Pick one up from York International or download one from the UHIP web-site link www.uhip.ca/_uploads/en_ClaimForm.pdf. The doctor must complete sections 4 and 5. You must complete sections 1, 2 and 3. Submit the completed claim form and original receipts or invoices to Sun Life within 12 months of receiving the service. Keep photocopies of everything you submit. Claims take approximately 2-3 weeks to process.
Can I get insurance for dental care, vision care, and prescriptions?
Yes. Dental services and prescriptions drugs are covered by supplemental student plans as listed.
York Federation of Students (YFS), for undergraduate students excluding Osgoode Health Plan Office. 106 Student Centre. Tel: 416-650-8066 www.yfs.ca
Graduate Student Association (GSA), for graduate students excluding Osgoode
325 Student Centre. Tel: 416-736-5213 www.yugsa.caCUPE Local 390, for teaching assistants and graduate assistants.
104 East Office Building, Tel: 416-736-5154Osgoode Student Health & Dental Plan for Osgoode students.
Student Benefits Plan Office, 010B Osgoode, Tel (416) 736 2100 x 55027 www.gallivan.ca/studentnetworks/members/osgoode/osgoode.html
Can I get travel insurance?
Insurance companies normally ask for proof of OHIP coverage before they issue travel insurance. If the travel insurance company you contact will not accept UHIP even though your UHIP card states it is comparable to OHIP, please request they contact Sun Life.
How do I get billed for UHIP?
Students are billed for their UHIP coverage through student accounts, except where noted otherwise. Check your student account at the beginning of your academic year. Your premium may be posted before you pick up your card. If not, contact York International immediately. You will be asked to complete a proof of coverage form and your premium will be posted to your student account retroactively.
What is the cost of my UHIP premium based on?
Your UHIP premium is based on your student status, the length of your coverage and the length of your dependants’ coverage.
The different student status categories are described below, with information on associated length of coverage and how you will be charged for your premium.
International student status:
This applies when you hold a valid study permit or temporary resident visa issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Your coverage is continuous for the duration of your program of study. There are no gaps in your coverage when you are registered and active within the fall or winter of an academic year (September 1 to August 31 of the following year).
Exchange student status:
This applies when you are an international student (see above) on an exchange program at York University.
Your coverage is continuous for the duration of your exchange.
Applicant for Permanent Residency and Permanent Residents in the OHIP waiting period student status:
This applies when you hold valid proof of application for permanent residency or receipt of permanent residency issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and you have not yet received OHIP.
UHIP coverage is mandatory even though you may be assessed domestic tuition fees.
Your coverage is the same as for international students (see above) until you are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
International Visiting Scholar status:
This applies when you hold a valid temporary resident visa issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and a letter of invitation for scholarly work from York University.
Your coverage is continuous for the duration of your official visit.
Contact York International to enroll in UHIP at the beginning of your visit. Your premium is payable in full by money order when you apply for proof of coverage.
Eligible dependent status:
This applies to legal, common-law or same-sex spouses, children under the age of 21 if not a full-time student, and disabled children (conditions apply) who are accompanying student UHIP members in Canada.
Dependents’ coverage is continuous for the duration of the student member’s coverage while the dependent is in Canada.
Contact York International to enroll in UHIP within 30 days of your arrival in Canada or within 30 days of the expiration of your previous UHIP coverage. You are covered by UHIP and responsible for retroactive premiums and a $500 late fee if you enroll late.
For dependents’ of student members: premiums and applicable late fess are charged on the student’s account after you enroll.
For dependents’ of international visiting scholar members: premiums and applicable late fees are payable by money order when you apply for coverage.
Do I have UHIP coverage before I start at York University?
Yes. Your coverage starts 20 days before the start of your academic program, at no additional charge.
Do I have UHIP coverage if I leave York University to go on exchange?
No. You are required to have health insurance from the exchange university or country. Contact York International to adjust your UHIP coverage as soon as your exchange is confirmed.
Can I extend my UHIP after I graduate or finish my exchange?
Yes, if you are staying in Canada and you apply before your coverage ends, you can extend your coverage for a maximum of 60 days. Contact York International to apply. Your premium is payable by money order when you apply.
What happens if I withdraw from school?
Your coverage will be automatically cancelled from the day you withdraw.
If you withdraw due to illness or injury, contact York International to apply to reinstate your coverage.
If you withdraw for reasons other than illness or injury, you are required to return your proof of coverage to York International. Further use of the insurance is fraudulent. Apply to York International to be considered for a partial refund of your premium.
What happens to my UHIP if I transfer from York to another Ontario university?
You will have UHIP coverage through your new university. To avoid paying at both universities, contact York International to cancel your UHIP at York as soon as you know you are transferring.
I have my own health insurance plan. Can I cancel UHIP?
Yes, if Sun Life grants you an exemption from UHIP.
You are pre-approved for an exemption if you have one of the following plans:
• Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
• Canadian International Development Agency Health Care Plan
• Canadian Bureau for International Education Health Care Plan
• Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
• International Council for Canadian Studies Plan
• National Insurance Office for Social Insurance Abroad (Norway)
• World University Service of Canada Plan
• Embassy of Kuwait
• Interim Federal Health Care Plan
You are not eligible for an exemption if you have a plan that is the non-approved list, found at this link www.uhip.ca/_uploads/en_NonApprovedInsurancePlans.htm
Providing your plan is not on the non-approved list (see above), you may apply Sun Life for an exemption. Before you apply, please review the information provided on the UHIP web-site: www.uhip.ca/_uploads/en_ExemptionForm.pdf. To apply, complete sections 2 and 3 of the certificate for exemption form and send copies to your other plan and Sun Life.
Can I get a refund of my premium?
You may be eligible when you have paid for a full year of UHIP coverage and have:
• withdrawn or are deregistered from your program of study before March 1, or
• completed your program of study before March 1, or
• OHIP for part or all of the current premium year, or
• leaving the country for fall or winter term (summer term does not qualify), or
• an insurance plan which has been pre-approved for a waiver, or
• received an exemption from Sun Life.
If you meet the criteria, submit a completed refund application and supporting documentation to York International immediately.
How will my refund be calculated?
The amount of your refund depends on the date Sun Life receives your valid refund application. All refunds other than for OHIP are calculated from the first of the month following the date that Sun Life receives a valid refund application.
Refunds for members who receive OHIP are calculated from the latter of:
• the first of the month following the month your OHIP coverage starts, and
• the first of the month following the date that Sun Life receives a valid refund form.
Eligibility criteria and refund amounts are regulated by the Council of Ontario Universities see www.uhip.ca/refund.aspx
How do I contact Sun Life?
General enquiries:
Telephone: 1-866-500-UHIP (8447) e-mail: askus@sunlife.com
Claim enquiries:
Telephone: Wendi Perez, 416-408-8745 email: wendi.perez@sunlife.com
How do I contact York International?
Telephone: 416-736-5177
Fax: 416-736-5176
E-mail: uhip@yorku.ca
Visit: 200 York Lanes at York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M3J 1P3
Where can I get detailed information about UHIP?
Please visit the UHIP website www.uhip.ca/
Note: UHIP is regulated by the Council of Ontario Universities. It is in effect at all Ontario universities (except the University of Windsor). Universities cannot alter or waive its fees or conditions. Information is subject to change without notice.
DISCLAIMER: Every attempt has been made to ensure the information contained herein is valid at the time of posting. York International, however, reserves the right to make changes, corrections and/or improvements at any time and without notice. No clerical or mechanical error made by a University - or any of the parties to the UHIP insurance contract - will invalidate insurance otherwise in force, or continue insurance otherwise terminated under the policy’s term and conditions.
